Method and apparatus for introducing sulphur dioxide into aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT

This invention presents a sulphurous acid generator which employs a combination of novel blending, contact and mixing mechanisms which injects sulphur gases into aqueous solution or which maximize the efficiency and duration of contact between sulphur dioxide gas and water or aqueous solution to form sulphurous acid in an open nonpressurized system, without employing a countercurrent absorption tower. The present invention also incorporates a novel high temperature concrete for use in constructing portions of the present invention.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.No. 09/643,097 filed on Aug. 21, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,301 whichis a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 08/888,376filed on Jul. 7, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,299.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

Only a fraction of the earth's total water supply is available andsuitable for agriculture, industry and domestic needs. The demand forwater is great and new technologies together with growing populationsincrease the demand for water while pollution diminishes the limitedsupply of usable water. The growing demand for water requires efficientuse of available water resources.

Agricultural use of water places a large demand on the world's watersupply. In some communities, the water supply may be adequate forfarming but the quality of the water is unsuitable for agriculturebecause the water is alkaline. Alkalinity is an important factoraffecting the quality, efficiency and performance of soil and irrigationwater. A relative increase in irrigation alkalinity due to the water'ssodium to calcium ratio or a high pH renders irrigation waterdetrimental to soil, crop growth and irrigation water efficiency. Suchwater can be reclaimed for soil rehabilitation and irrigation by addinglower pH sulphur acid or sulphurous acid to the alkaline water to reduceits alkalinity or pH.

Use and quality of culinary water is also rising. In most populatedareas, treatment of water for culinary and household use is necessary.Many water treatment facilities use various forms of chlorine to killbacteria in the water. A necessary step in such processes includesubsequently removing residual chlorine before introducing the treatedwater back into streams or rivers or into public culinary water systems.

The invention of this application is directed toward a device whichgenerates quantities of sulphur dioxide gas or sulphur acid in asimplified, controllable, safe and efficient way. In particular, it isdirected toward a sulphur dioxide or sulphurous acid generator whichproduces sulphurous compounds by burning elemental sulphur to producesulphur gases. The sulphur gases are then drawn toward and held incontact with water eventually reacting with the water and producingsulphur acids, while substantially reducing dangerous emissions ofsulphur gases to the air.

2. The Relevant Technology

There are several sulphurous acid generators in the art. The prior artdevices utilize sulphur burn chambers and absorption towers. However,known systems utilize countercurrent current flow or pressurized systemsas the principle means to accomplish the generation of sulphurous acid.For example, many devices employ the absorption tower to introduce themajority of the water to the system in countercurrent flow to the flowof sulphur dioxide gas. U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,771 teaches introducing 90%of the system water for the first time in countercurrent flow at the topof the absorption tower. In such devices, the integrity of theabsorption towers is vital, and any deficiencies or inefficiencies ofthe absorption tower lead to diminished reaction and results. Otherdevices utilize pressurized gas to facilitate flow of gas through thesystem, see U.S. Pat. No. 3,226,201. Pressurized devices, however,require expensive manufacture to ensure the containment of dangeroussulphur dioxide gas to avoid leakage. Even negative pressure machineshave the drawback of requiring a source of energy to power the negativepressure generator such as an exhaust fan. Still other devices rely uponsecondary combustion chambers to further oxidize the sulphur, see U.S.Pat. No. 4,526,771. Many sulphurous acid generators emit significant ordangerous levels of unreacted sulphur dioxide gas, a harmful and noxiouspollutant, into the surrounding environment.

Known processes exist for dechlorinating water. These processestypically employ storage, containment and use of liquid or pressurizedsulphur gases to remove harmful chlorine compounds from the water. Manyof the known systems require expenses and large transportation andstorage needs such as trains, train tracks, tankers, tanks, semitrucksand other equipment. Liquid and pressurized sulphur gases are hazardousand require elaborate and regulated usage and handling as well ashazardous release evacuation plans and specialized training of personneland coordination with public health and safety officials, officers andservants.

What is needed is a method and apparatus for on-site, safe andcontrollable generation of needed sulphur gases. What is needed aremethods and apparatuses which alleviate the need for expensive equipmentor machinery for the transportation, storage and use of sulphur gases.What is needed is an onsite sulphur gas generator which can supplyneeded sulphur gases on demand without the need for expensive andelaborate hazardous material management and emergency contingencies.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a sulphur gas generator which canbe used to improve alkaline irrigation water, dechlorinate water ortreat landfill deposits. By adding sulphur gases or sulphur acids toalkaline water, the alkalinity and/or pH of the water is reduced. Inaddition to making the water less alkaline, adding sulphur acids toalkaline water increases the availability of sulphur in the water to actas a nutrient, improves capillary action of the soil, increases cationexchange capacity, and decreases tail water run-off and tillage andfertilizer costs. For purposes of this patent the term “sulphurous acid”shall mean ultimate and intermediate acids of sulphur created whensulphur gases created by combustion of sulphur react or mix with aqueoussolution.

In many agricultural settings, complicated farm machinery is notpractical because it requires technical training to operate and specialskills to service and maintain. For sulphur gas generators, improveddesign can reduce costs, simplify operation, service and maintenance andincrease efficiency and safety thereby making the machine more practicalfor agricultural use. The present invention is directed toward a sulphurgas generator that is simple to produce, operate, service and maintain,and which efficiently produces, contains and reacts sulphur dioxide gas,and sulphurous acid if desired, without exposing the user or otherliving things in proximity to the machine to dangerous sulphur dioxideemissions.

It will be appreciated that a specific energy source is not necessarilyrequired by the present invention, and therefore its use is notnecessarily restricted to locations where a particular power source,like electricity, is available or can be generated for use. All of theabove objectives are met by the present invention.

Unlike the prior art, the present invention is designed to generate,regulate and control the amount of sulphur dioxide gas generated on-siteand on-demand for the combustion of elemental sulphur or sulfur and theduration of the contact of water with sulphur gases without creating orby minimizing back pressure in the system or without relying uponpressurization of the gas to cause the sulphur dioxide gas to flowthrough the generator or for introduction of the gas into aqueoussolution. This reduces the complexity of the sulphur gas generator andthe need for additional equipment such as air compressors used by priorart devices, or transportation, storage and other equipment typicallyassociated with the use of liquid or pressurized sulphur gases.

The invention primarily relates to a sulphur hopper, a burn chamber anda gas pipeline. Additionally, an injector, a mixing tank, an exhaustpipeline, and an exhaust scrubbing tower may be employed.

The sulphur hopper preferably has a capacity of several hundred poundsof sulphur in powder, flake, split-pea or pastile form. The sulphurhopper can be constructed of various materials or combinations thereof.In one embodiment, the sulphur hopper is constructed of stainless steeland plastic. In the preferred embodiment the hopper is constructed ofSaggregate™ concrete. The sulphur hopper is connected to the burnchamber by a passageway positioned at the base of the sulphur hopper.The conduit joins the burn chamber at its base. The weight of thesulphur in the sulphur hopper forces sulphur through the passageway atthe base and into the burn chamber, providing a continual supply ofsulphur for burning.

A cooling ring is disposed at the base of the hopper. The cooling ringenters the base of the hopper, traverses a u-shaped pattern near thepassageway into the burn chamber protruding above the base of thehopper. The cooling ring creates a physical and temperature barrierpreventing molten sulphur from flowing across the entire base of thehopper.

The burn chamber has an ignition inlet on the top of the burn chamberthrough which the sulphur is ignited and an air inlet on the side of thechamber through which oxygen enters to fuel the burning sulphur. Theburning sulphur generates sulphur dioxide gas. In the preferredembodiment, the top of the chamber is removable, facilitating access tothe chamber for maintenance and service. The burn chamber is constructedof material capable of withstanding the corrosiveness of the sulphur andthe heat of combustion, namely stainless steel but preferablySaggregate™ concrete. Saggregate™ concrete is preferred because itsignificantly decreases the cost of the hopper and burning chamber.Saggregate™ concrete is a unique blend of cement and aggregates.

Sulphur dioxide gas exits the burn chamber through an exhaust outlet onthe top of the burn chamber and is drawn into a first conduit. The firstconduit may be manufactured from stainless steel. The sulphur dioxidegas may be directly injected or released into aqueous solution.

Optional Features

If the sulphur dioxide is not directly injected or released into aqueoussolution, a supply of water is conducted by a second conduit and may bebrought from a water source through the second conduit by any meanscapable of delivering sufficient water and pressure, such as an elevatedwater tank or a mechanical or electric pump.

The first conduit and second conduit meet and couple with a thirdconduit. The third conduit may comprise a blending portion, a contactcontainment portion, an agitation portion and a means for dischargingthe sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas. In the thirdconduit, the sulphur dioxide gas and water are brought in contact witheach other to form sulphurous acid. The third conduit may be constructedof polyethylene plastic, pvc or any durable plastic.

The blending portion of the third conduit comprises a means for bringingthe sulphur dioxide gas in the first conduit and the water in the secondconduit into contained, codirectional flow into contact with each other.The majority of water used to create sulphurous acid in the system andmethod is introduced into the third conduit and flows through one ormore mixing portions in the third conduit, thereafter dischargingnaturally by gravity and water flow.

Water is introduced into the third conduit in codirectional flow withthe sulphur dioxide gas so as to create an annular column of water withthe sulphur dioxide gas flowing inside the annular column of waterthereby blending the water and sulphur dioxide gas together. In thepreferred embodiment, water is introduced into the gas pipeline andpasses through an eductor or venturi, which causes sulphur dioxide gasto be drawn through the first conduit without the need of pressuring thesulphur dioxide gas and without using an exhaust fan. The water andsulphur dioxide gas remain in contact with each other for the period oftime it takes to flow through a portion of the third conduit. In thecontact area, a portion of the sulphur dioxide gas reacts with thewater, creating sulphurous acid.

In different embodiments, an agitation portion comprises a means formixing and agitating the codirectionally flowing sulphur dioxide gas andwater/sulphurous acid. The agitation portions enhance sulphur dioxidegas reaction and dispersion. Bends in or a length of the third conduitor obstructions within the third conduit are contemplated as means formixing and agitating in the agitation portion. Agitation of thecodirectional flow of the sulphur dioxide gas and water furtherfacilitates reaction of the sulphur dioxide gas with water. Sulphurousacid and sulphur dioxide gas flow out of the third conduit through meansfor discharging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas.

A discharge outlet represents a possible embodiment of means fordischarging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas. Thedischarge outlet permits conduit contents to enter into the subjectaqueous solution to be treated, a holding tank therefor, or into furtheroptional treatment apparatus such as a gas submersion zone.

Further Optional Features

The sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas may exit the thirdconduit through the discharge and enter a gas submersion zone or mixingtank. In one embodiment, a weir divides the mixing tank into twosections, namely a pooling section and an effluent or outlet section.Sulphurous acid and sulphur dioxide gas exit the discharge of the thirdconduit into the pooling section. As the sulphurous acid pours into themixing tank, it creates a pool of sulphurous acid equal in depth to theheight of the weir. At all times, the water/acid and unreacted sulphurdioxide gas discharge from the third conduit above the level of theliquid in the pooling section of the mixing tank. In another embodiment,water/acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas discharge from the thirdconduit to mix in a single cell mixing tank, discharging out the bottomof the mixing tank.

In other words, the discharge from the third conduit is positionedsufficiently high in the mixing tank so that sulphur dioxide gas exitingthe pipeline can pass directly into and be submerged within the poolwhile in an open (nonclosed) arrangement. In other words, the dischargefrom the third conduit does not create any significant back pressure onthe flow of sulphurous acid or sulphur dioxide gas in the third conduitor gas pipeline. Nevertheless, the vertical position of the dischargefrom the third conduit into the pool reduces the likelihood that theunreacted sulphur dioxide gas will exit from the discharge without beingsubmerged in the pool. In one embodiment, the discharge is removed adistance from the sidewall of the mixing tank toward the center of thepooling section to allow the pool to be efficiently churned by theinflow of sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas from thethird conduit. In another embodiment, discharge out the bottom of themixing tank upstream from a u-trap efficiently chums unreacted sulphurdioxide gas with the aqueous fluid of the system.

As acidic/water and gas continue to enter the mixing tank from the thirdconduit in one embodiment, the level of the pool eventually exceeds theheight of the weir. Sulphurous acid spills over the weir and into theeffluent or outlet section of the mixing tank where the sulphurous acidexits the mixing tank through an effluent outlet. The top of theeffluent outlet is positioned below height of the weir and below thedischarge from the third conduit in order to reduce the amount of freefloating unreacted sulphur dioxide gas exiting the chamber through theeffluent outlet. In another embodiment, a discharge in the bottom of aweirless mixing tank employs the column of water to inhibit unreactedsulphur dioxide from exiting the mixing chamber through the bottomdischarge outlet. Free floating, unreacted sulphur dioxide gas remainingin the mixing tank rises up to the top of the mixing tank. The top ofthe mixing tank is adapted with a lid. Undissolved sulphur dioxide gasflowing through the effluent outlet are trapped by a standard u-trap,forcing accumulated gas back into the mixing tank while sulfurous acidexits the system through a first discharge pipe.

To ensure further elimination of any significant emissions of sulphurdioxide gas from the generator into the environment, the sulphur dioxidegas remaining in the mixing tank may be drawn into an exhaust conduitcoupled with an exhaust vent on the lid of the mixing tank. The exhaustconduit defines a fourth conduit. Positioned in the fourth conduit is ameans for introducing water into the fourth conduit. The water whichenters the fourth conduit may be brought from a water source by anymeans capable of delivering sufficient water to the fourth conduit. Asthe water is introduced into the fourth conduit, it reacts with thesulphur dioxide gas that has migrated out through the lid of the mixingtank of the absorption tower, and creates sulphurous acid.

In the preferred embodiment, water introduced into the fourth conduit,passes through a second eductor or venturi causing the sulphur dioxidegas to be drawn through the vent and into the fourth conduit. The gasand water are contained in contact as they flow in codirectional flowthrough one or more contact secondary containment and/or agitationportions of the fourth conduit. Sulphurous acid exits the fourth conduitthrough a second discharge pipe. The fourth conduit may be constructedof high density polyethylene plastic, pvc or any suitably durableplastic. The material of construction is chosen for its durability andresistance to ultra violet ray degradation. In a preferred embodiment,the second discharge pipe also comprises a u-trap configuration. In anydischarge arrangement, the discharge of sulphurous acid may be into aholding tank from which the sulphurous acid may be drawn, injected orreleased into the subject aqueous solution.

In a preferred embodiment upstream from the u-trap of the seconddischarge pipe, a vent stack houses an exhaust scrubbing tower providinga tertiary containment area. The exhaust scrubbing tower defines grillholes through which the rising, undissolved gases rise. In a preferredembodiment, the exhaust scrubbing tower comprises a cylindrical bodywhich is constructed of polyethylene plastic which is durable,lightweight and resistant to ultra violet ray degradation. At the top ofthe exhaust scrubbing tower, a third source of water introduces a showerof water through an emitter inside the exhaust tower showering waterdownward, resulting in a countercurrent flow of undissolved gases anddescending water. The rising sulphur dioxide gas comes intocountercurrent contact with the descending water, creating sulphurousacid.

The exhaust scrubbing tower is packed with path diverters, which forcethe countercurrent flow of sulphur dioxide gas and water to pass througha tortuous maze, increasing the duration of time the gas and waterremain in contact and the surface area of the contact. Substantially allthe free floating sulphur dioxide gas from the mixing tank will reactwith water in the tower to form sulphurous acid. Sulphurous acid createdin the tower flows down into the secondary discharge. Any undissolvedgases pass out of the open, upward end of the exhaust scrubbing tower tothe atmosphere.

As mentioned, the water introduced into the system to the third conduit,fourth conduit and exhaust scrubbing tower may be brought from a watersource to the system by any means capable of delivering sufficient waterand pressure, such as a standing, elevated water tank, or mechanical,electric or diesel powered water pump.

The present invention also contemplates means for controlling the burnrate of sulphur in the burning chamber, that is, dampening the flow oramount of air made available into the burning chamber.

It is an object of this invention to provide sulphur gas or a sulfurousacid generator that is simple to manufacture, use, maintain and service.

Another object of this invention is to provide on-site, on-demandsulphur gas generation avoiding the expense, equipment, hazardousmaterial management and personnel needed by the prior art methods andapparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide sulphur gases orsulphurous acid for aqueous water treatment or landfill treatmentmethods.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide aneffective, efficient, easy to use method and apparatus to dechlorinatewater.

It is also an object of this invention to construct the hopper and burnchamber out of a high-temperature concrete to reduce manufacturingcosts.

It is another object of this invention to eliminate reliance uponcountercurrent absorption as the prior mechanism for creating sulphurousacid as taught by the prior art.

It is further an object of this invention to create a sulfurous acidgenerator that is capable of operating without any electrical equipmentsuch as pumps, air compressor or exhaust fans requiring a specificenergy source requirement, such as electricity or diesel fuels.

It is another object of this invention to produce a sulphurous acidgenerator which converts substantially all sulfur dioxide gas generatedinto sulphurous acid.

It is another object of the invention to produce a sulfurous acidgenerator which uses an induced draw created by the flow of waterthrough the system to draw gases through the otherwise open system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sulphurous acidgenerator with one or more contact containment and/or agitation andmixing mechanisms to increase the duration of time during which thesulphur dioxide gas is in contact with and mixed with water.

It is an object of this invention to produce a sulphurous acid generatorwhich substantially eliminates emission of harmful sulphur dioxide gas.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantagesand objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular descriptionof the invention briefly depicted above will be rendered by reference toa specific embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appendeddrawings. With the understanding that these drawings depict only atypical embodiment of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sulphurous acidgenerator.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a section of a hopper and burn chamber.

FIG. 1B is a cross-section of a hopper and burn chamber,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partly in cutaway cross-section of thecomponents of the sulphurous acid generator.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view partly in cut-away cross-section of analternative embodiment of a sulphurous acid generator.

FIG. 4A is a view partly in cut-away cross-section of an embodiment of asulphur gas generator and injector.

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view partly in cut-away cross-section of anembodiment of a sulphurous acid generator.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view partly of the Saggregate™ concreteembodiment of a sulphur gas generator and injector.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of a third conduit.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of a fourth conduit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exhaust scrubbing tower.

FIGS. 8A to 8E illustrate alternative embodiments dampening availableair or oxygen flowing into the burning chamber for combustion.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart explaining one of the inventive processes.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart explaining one of the inventive processes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Including by reference the figures listed above, applicant's sulphur gasand sulfurous acid generator comprises a system which generates sulphurdioxide gas and in some embodiments keeps the gas substantiallycontained and in contact with water or other aqueous solution forsufficient periods of time to substantially eliminate any significantrelease of harmful sulphur dioxide gas from the system or solution. Theprincipal elements of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1-8.

The sulphur or sulfur hopper 20 comprises enclosure 24 with a lid 26.Hopper 20 serves as a reservoir for elemental sulphur. Lid 26 may definea closeable aperture, not shown. Enclosure 24 may be of any geometricshape; square is shown, cylindrical may also be employed. Lid 26 ofenclosure 24 is readily removable to allow sulphur to be loaded intohopper 20. Enclosure 24 defines a hopper outlet 30. Hopper 20 isconfigured such that sulphur in hopper 20 is directed toward hopperoutlet 30 by the pull of gravity. Hopper outlet 30 allows sulphur topass through and out of hopper 20.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of open hopper 20. Hopper 20 comprises abase or floor 22. In the preferred embodiment, a cooling ring 28 isdisposed about ½ inch above base 22. As shown in FIG. 1, untreatedirrigation water is circulated through cooling ring 28. See also FIG.1B. FIGS. 1A and 1B also disclose vertical standing baffles 29. Inpractice of the invention it has been discovered that baffles 29 assistin directing the dry sulphur to hopper outlet 30. Practice of theinvention has also revealed that cooling ring 28 is most effective whenplaced closer to hopper outlet 30 rather than the middle of base 22 orfarther away from hopper outlet 30. The effect cooling ring 28 has onmolten sulphur will be discussed below.

A passageway conduit 36 communicates between hopper outlet 30 and burnchamber inlet 50 of burn chamber 40.

Burn chamber 40 comprises floor member 42, chamber sidewall 44 and roofmember 46. Elemental sulphur is combusted in burn chamber 40. Roofmember 46 is removably attached to chamber sidewall 44 supporting roofmember 46. Roof member 46 defines an ignition inlet 52 as having aremovably attached ignition inlet cover 54. Through ignition inlet 52,the user may ignite the sulphur. An air inlet 56 defined by chambersidewall 44 has a removably attached air inlet cover 58. The air inlet56 preferably enters the chamber sidewall 44 tangentially. An exhaustopening 60 in the burn chamber 40 is defined by the roof member 46.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4A-4C, roof member 46 also defines adownwardly extending annular ring 48. In the preferred embodiment, ring48 extends downwardly into burn chamber 40 at least as low as air inlet56 is disposed. It is understood and believed that this configurationcauses not only inlet air to swirl in a cyclone effect into burn chamber40 but induces a swirling or cyclone effect of the combusted sulphurdioxide gas as it rises in burn chamber 40 and passing up throughexhaust opening 60 and gas pipeline 70. Roof member 46 is secured tosidewall 44 of burn chamber 40 by either bolting roof member 46 to burnchamber to the top of sidewall 44 in any conventional fashion, or asshown in FIG. 4C, by employing removable C-clamps 49.

Hopper 20, passageway conduit 36 and burn chamber 40 may be constructedof stainless steel. In such case, roof member 46 could be removablybolted to burn chamber 40. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG.4C, hopper 20, passageway conduit 36 and burn chamber 40 as well as aplatform or legs 10 may be constructed of Saggregate™ concrete.Saggregate™ concrete is a unique blend of cement and other components.The Saggregate™ concrete comprises a cement component, two aggregatecomponents, and a water component. The preferred cement component isLumnite MG® (“Lumnite® cement”), Heidelberger Calcium Aluminate Cementfrom Heidelberger Calcium Aluminates, Inc., Allentown, Pa., UnitedStates of America. The preferred Lumnite® has a 7000 pound crush weightnature. The first aggregate is preferably a pea-sized medium shale soldby Utelite Corp., Wanship, Utah, 84017, United States of America. Asecond aggregate is preferably a crushed mesh or crushed fines inorganicaggregate. The preferred fine-sized aggregate is PAKMIX® LightweightSoil Conditioner® produced by Utelite Corp., Wanship, Utah, 84017,United States of America. The Pakmix® aggregate comprises No. 10 crushedfines of shale capable of bearing temperatures up to 2000 degreesFarenheit.

The mixing ratio of the cement, first aggregate, second aggregate andwater are as follows. The ratio of Lumnite® cement to combinedaggregates is 1:3 by volume. The ratio of water to Lumnite® cement byweight is 0.4:1. Operational results are achieved when the volume ratioof pea-sized medium shale aggregate to Lumnite® cement ranges from about0:1 to about 3.0:1 and where the volume ratio of crushed mesh/crushedshale fines aggregate to Lumnite® cement ranges from about 0:1 to about3.0:1. More satisfactory results are achieved when the volume ratio ofpea-sized medium shale aggregate to Lumnite® cement ranges from about1:1 to about 1.5:1 and where the volume ratio of crushed mesh/crushedshale fines aggregate to Lumnite® cement ranges from about 1.5:1 toabout 2.0:1. The most favorable results occur when the pea-sized mediumshale aggregate is mixed in a ratio to Lumnite® cement in a range fromabout 1.2:1 to about 1.3:1 by volume and wherein the crushedmesh/crushed shale fines aggregate component is present in a ratio toLumnite® cement in a range from about 1.7:1 to about 1.8:1 by volume.

Embodiments of the Saggregate™ concrete of the present inventiondiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4 were made in the followingmanner:

EXAMPLE 1

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale1.5 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 1.5 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure oneand one-half cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Measure one andone-half cubic feet of crushed fine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement,pea-sized medium shale and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete was used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

Other embodiments of the Saggregate™ concrete of the present inventiondiscussed above and illustrated in FIG. 4 may be made in the followingmanner:

EXAMPLE 2

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale3.0 × one volume unit crushed fine shale None water  .4 × weight of onevolume unit of Lumnite ® cement

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measurethree cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Use no crushed fine shale.Mix the Lumnite® cement and pea-sized medium shale together to create adry mix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of thethree cubic feet of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the drymix to create Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treatthe Saggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context ofthe present invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable moldsto form the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 3

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shaleNone crushed fine shale 3.0 × one volume unit water  .4 × weight of onevolume unit of Lumnite ® cement

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Use nopea-sized medium shale. Measure three cubic feet of crushed fine shale.Mix the Lumnite® cement and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 4

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale .4 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 2.6 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ® cement

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure 0.4cubic foot of pea-sized medium shale. Measure 2.6 cubic feet of crushedfine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement, pea-sized medium shale and crushedfine shale together to create a dry mix. Measure an amount of waterequal to 0.4 times the weight of the one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement.Add the amount of water to the dry mix to create Saggregate™ concrete.Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat the Saggregate™ concrete likeconventional concrete. In the context of the present invention,Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds to form the desiredhopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstanding the heat of burningand molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 5

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shaleone volume unit crushed fine shale 2.0 × one volume unit water  .4 ×weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure onecubic foot of pea-sized medium shale. Measure two cubic feet of crushedfine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement, pea-sized medium shale and crushedfine shale together to create a dry mix. Measure an amount of waterequal to 0.4 times the weight of the one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement.Add the amount of water to the dry mix to create Saggregate™ concrete.Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat the Saggregate™ concrete likeconventional concrete. In the context of the present invention,Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds to form the desiredhopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstanding the heat of burningand molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 6

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale1.1 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 1.9 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure oneand one-tenth cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Measure one andnine-tenths cubic feet of crushed fine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement,pea-sized medium shale and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 7

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale1.2 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 1.8 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure oneand two-tenths cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Measure one andeight-tenths cubic feet of crushed fine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement,pea-sized medium shale and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 8

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale1.3 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 1.7 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure oneand three-tenths cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Measure one andseven-tenths cubic feet of crushed fine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement,pea-sized medium shale and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite® cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

EXAMPLE 9

Component Amount Lumnite ® cement one volume unit pea-sized medium shale1.4 × one volume unit crushed fine shale 1.6 × one volume unit water  .4× weight of one volume unit of Lumnite ®

For example, one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement is measured and weighed,the weight of one cubic foot of Lumnite® cement being noted. Measure oneand four-tenths cubic feet of pea-sized medium shale. Measure one andsix-tenths cubic feet of crushed fine shale. Mix the Lumnite® cement,pea-sized medium shale and crushed fine shale together to create a drymix. Measure an amount of water equal to 0.4 times the weight of the onecubic foot of Lumnite™ cement. Add the amount of water to the dry mix tocreate Saggregate™ concrete. Mix, handle, pour, cure and treat theSaggregate™ concrete like conventional concrete. In the context of thepresent invention, Saggregate™ concrete is used with suitable molds toform the desired hopper-burn chamber assembly capable of withstandingthe heat of burning and molten sulphur in use.

The dry mix of Lumnite® cement and aggregates can be pre-mixed andbagged together. This greatly simplifies construction for the userbecause all components of the Saggregate™ concrete are provided exceptwater which can be provided on site. When mixed and cured, theSaggregate™ concrete is easily capable of withstanding the 400 to 600degree Fahrenheit temperature of the burning and molten sulphur inburning chamber 40.

In the preferred embodiment using Saggregate™ concrete to construct base22 and sidewall 24 of hopper 20 should be 2½ to 3 inches thick.Similarly, the walls of the conduit passageway 36 and base 42 andsidewall 44 of burn chamber 40 should also have Saggregate™ concrete inthe thickness of about 2½ to 3 inches. In the configuration shown inFIG. 4C, lid 26 may be constructed of virtually any material, includingwood, plastic, or any other material. Due to the extreme heat generatedin burn chamber 40, roof member 46 must be made of a material that willwithstand such extreme temperatures. Preferably, roof member 46 isconstructed of stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 4C, feet 10 may also be constructed of Saggregate™concrete. Feet 10 are used to permit air to radiate under the bottom ofhopper 20 and burning chamber 40 to dissipate radiant heat. As shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B and 4C, an additional advantage of placing cooling ring 28in the hopper near passage conduit 36 results in a physical barrier andtemperature barrier of any molten sulphur flowing from burning chamber40 through conduit passageway 36 into hopper 20. In other words, thephysical location of cooling ring 28 and the temperature gradient causedthereby, impedes the flow of any molten sulphur out of conduitpassageway 36 so as to confine molten sulphur between cooling ring 28and fluid conduit passageway 36. In a preferred embodiment, the hopperis in a square shape that has a cross-section of about 18 inches by 18inches and is about 30 inches high in its inside dimensions. If acylindrical shaped hopper is employed, an inside diameter of about 18inches is preferred. In such a case, the inside height dimension ofconduit passageway 36 is about 5 inches in inside height and about 10inches in inside width with the burning chamber 40 being about 12 inchesin height and having an inside diameter of 10 inches. This embodimentburns about 5 pounds of sulphur or less per hour and is capable oftreating about 15 to 100 gallons of water per minute.

In another larger embodiment, the hopper, if square, could have insidedimensions of about 32 inches by 42 inches, with a height of about 48inches with the inside height dimension of conduit passageway 36 beingabout 6 inches in inside height and about 11 inches in inside width witha burn chamber having a height of about 16 inches and an inside diameterof about 18 inches. In this embodiment, tests have revealed that about20 pounds of sulphur or less per hour is burned and the amount of waterbeing treated may range from about 20 gallons per minute to about 300gallons per minute.

The Saggregate™ hopper-chamber configuration of FIG. 4C may beincorporated into the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2 and 3.

The present invention also contemplates a means for controlling the bunrate of sulphur in burn chamber 40. FIGS. 8A through 8E representdifferent means for dampening air intake through air inlet 56. FIG. 8Aillustrates a curved and/or occluded end of air inlet 56. Tests haverevealed that a substantially centered hole having a diameter of about 1to about 2 inches permits effective control of the burn of sulphur inchamber 40.

FIG. 8B illustrates a conventional gate valve which can be placed alongair inlet 56 to selectively dampen the flow of air into burn chamber 40.

Similarly, FIG. 8C illustrates a conventional ball valve effective inrestricting flow. Use of such a ball valve permits selective dampeningor control of air through air inlet 56 into burn chamber 40.

FIG. 8D illustrates another embodiment in which a bend in air inlet 56is followed by a ring disposed within air inlet 56 defining an opening61 substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow of air. Airinlet 56 also has a second bend.

The preferred means for dampening the flow of air into burn chamber 40is illustrated in FIG. 8E. Air inlet 56 has a curve or bend and ispacked with stainless steel mesh or wool.

In all the embodiments of FIGS. 8A through 8E, air inlet 56 comprises apipe or conduit having a diameter of about 3 inches.

Sulphur supplied to the burn chamber 40 through the conduit inlet 50 canbe ignited through the ignition inlet 52. The air inlet 56 allowsoxygen, necessary for the combustion process, to enter into the burnchamber 40 and thus permits regulation of the rate of combustion. Theexhaust opening 60 allows the sulphur dioxide gas to pass up through theexhaust opening 60 and into the gas pipeline 70.

Sulphur Gas Injector

The present invention contemplates the introduction of sulphur gasesdirectly into the water source to be treated such as a pressurized waterline of an existing water system. These embodiments permit the sulphurgases to be drawn or injected into the existing water systems withoutthe necessity, if desired, of pressurizing the sulphur gases.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4C, direct injection embodiments aredisclosed. In FIGS. 4A and 4C, sulphur is combusted in burner chamber40. The combustion of sulphur and its attendant gas generation may becontrolled as discussed above related to FIGS. 8A through 8E. In thisway the sulphur gases can be generated on-site in an on-demand basis.Sulphur gases exit burn chamber 40 through exhaust opening 60. Sulphurgases pass through gas pipeline 70 to injector 310. Injector 310 is aninjector which draws fluids or gases into a pressurized system at apoint of differential pressure. The preferred injector 310 is a Mazzei™Injector made by Mazzei Injector Corporation, Bakersfield, Calif.,United States of America. Injector 310 operates upon water flow in anexisting water line 300 having a flow of water. Injector 310 creates adifferential pressure in line 300, across injector 310. The differentialpressure draws or introduces sulphur gases in gas pipeline 70 into waterline 300 without the necessity of pressurizing the sulphur gas. Injector310 introduces the sulphur gas(es) directly into the water subject totreatment. This application is particularly suited to landfillapplication where it is desirable to spray or sprinkle acidic aqueoussolution over landfill to treat and/or neutralize otherwise undesirablesoils, waste, fertilizers and/or smells in cases where precision insolution of sulphur gases into aqueous solutions may vary. The devicesand function of FIGS. 4A and 4C described herein provide means forpassively introducing or injecting sulphur gases into a pressurizedfluid line.

All of the foregoing burner chamber configurations permit the user togenerate needed sulphur gases on-site thereby avoiding the costlypurchase, transportation, and containment of preexisting sulphur gasdelivery systems.

Sulphurous Acid Introducer

As already discussed, there are uses of sulphur gases known to those ofskill in the art which uses do not require precise levels or amounts ofdissolved or reacted sulphur gas(es) in aqueous solution or sulphurousacid in order to accomplish the desired chemical reaction or treatmentor in order to avoid residual or offensive sulphur smells. Employing theburn chambers and air inlet dampeners discussed above, the presentinvention also contemplates a sulphur gas generator and introducer whichsimplifies the equipment or apparatus needed to controllably generatesulphurous acid on-site and on-demand. As disclosed in FIG. 4B, thepresent invention contemplates introducing sulphurous acid into thesubject water source without employing the mixing tank, and secondaryand tertiary water introduction discussed below.

The gas pipeline 70 has two ends, the first end communicating with theexhaust opening 60, the second end terminating at a third conduit 76.The gas pipeline or first conduit 70 may comprise an ascending pipe 72and a transverse pipe 74. The ascending pipe 72 may communicate with thetransverse pipe 74 by means a first 90 degree elbow joint. Disposedabout and secured to the ascending pipe 72 is a protective grate 90 toprevent unintended external contact with member 72 which is hot when inuse.

Water is conducted through a second conduit 282 to a point at which thesecond conduit 282 couples with the first conduit 70 at a third conduit76.

Conduit 76 comprises a means 100 for bringing the sulphur dioxide gas inthe first conduit 70 and the water in second conduit 282 into containedcodirectional flow. Water and sulphur dioxide gas are brought intocontact with each other whereby sulphur dioxide gas dissolves into thewater.

The codirectional flow means 100 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4B and 5comprises a central body 102, central body 102 defining a gas entry 104and a sulfur dioxide gas exiting outlet 114, central body 102 furthercomprising a secondary conduit inlet 106, and a water eductor 112.Eductor 112 generates a swirling annular column of water to encircle gasexiting outlet 114. The water flow, thermal cooling and reaction arebelieved to assist in drawing sulphur dioxide gas from burn chamber 40into gas pipeline 70 where the gas is brought into contact with water tocreate sulphurous acid.

The codirectional flow means 100 allows water to be introduced into thethird conduit 76 initially through a second conduit inlet 106. The waterentering the codirectional means 100 passes through the eductor 112 and,exits adjacent the sulphur dioxide gas outlet 114. The water enters thethird conduit 76 and comes into contact with the sulphur dioxide gas bysurrounding the sulphur dioxide gas where the sulphur dioxide gas andwater are contained in contact with each other. The water and sulphurdioxide gas react to form an acid of sulphur. This first contactcontainment portion of conduit 76 does not obstruct the flow of thesulphur dioxide gas. It is believed that a substantial portion of thesulphur dioxide gas will react with the water in this first contactcontainment area.

If it is necessary or desirous to further agitate the codirectional flowof aqueous solution and gas to encourage and facilitate dissolution ofsulphur gases into or reaction with the solution, an object 77 may bepositioned inside third conduit 76 as shown in FIG. 5 to alter thedirection of the codirectional flow.

Third conduit 76 is disposed to discharge the flow of aqueous solutionand undissolved sulphur gas(es), if any, through discharge 80 into thewater source to be treated. In the preferred embodiment, discharge 80 isbelow the surface of the water source to be treated so as to permitfurther dissolution of undissolved sulphur gas(es) into the watersource.

The sulphurous acid generator of FIG. 4B, unlike the prior art,satisfactorily generates sulphur gases and sulphurous acid withoutexcessive sulphur gas generation and smell because the amount of sulphurgases generated may be limited by employing the air inlet dampenerstaught in relation to FIGS. 8A through 8E. By limiting or reducing theamount of sulphur gases generated, less sulphur gas is present, henceless sulphur is available and must be dissolved into or react with thesolution. The preferred embodiment of gas pipeline 70 of FIGS. 4A, 4Band 4C is a two inch diameter pipe. In this way, less sulphur gas isgenerated and the available water is more able to host all orsubstantially all of the sulphur gas(es).

After the acid and any host water (hereafter “water/acid”) and anyremaining unreacted gas continue to flow through third conduit 76, thewater/acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas are mixed and agitated tofurther facilitate reaction of the sulphur dioxide with the water/acid.Means for mixing and agitating the flow of water/acid and sulphurdioxide gas is accomplished in a number of ways. For example, as shownin FIG. 2, mixing and agitating can be accomplished by changing thedirection of the flow such as a bend 84 in the third conduit 76. ASAnother example includes placing an object 77 inside the third conduit76 to alter the flow pattern in the third conduit 76 as shown in FIG. 5.This could entail a flow altering wedge, flange, bump or other member 77along the codirectional flow path in third conduit 76. By placing anobject in the flow path, a straight or substantially straight conduitmay be employed. The distinction of this invention over the prior art ismixing and agitating the flow of water/acid and sulphur dioxide in anopen codirectionally flowing system. One embodiment of the presentinvention can treat between 20 and 300 gallons of water per minutecoursing through third conduit 76 being held in contained contact withthe sulphur dioxide gas.

After the water/acid and sulphur dioxide gas have passed through anagitation and mixing portion of third conduit 76, the water/acid andunreacted sulphur dioxide gas are again contained in contact with eachother to further facilitate reaction between the components to create anacid of sulphur. This is accomplished by means for containing thewater/acid and sulphur dioxide gas in contact with each other. Oneembodiment is shown in FIG. 2 as a portion 85 of third conduit 76.Portion 85 acts much in the same way as the earlier described contactcontainment portion.

As shown in FIG. 2, additional means for mixing and agitating thecodirectional flow of water/acid and sulphur dioxide gas is employed.One embodiment is illustrated as portion 86 of third conduit 76 in whichagain the directional flow of the water/acid and sulphur dioxide gas isdirectionally altered. In this way, the water/acid and sulphur dioxidegas are forced to mix and agitate, further facilitating reaction of thesulphur dioxide gas to further produce or concentrate an acid ofsulphur.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, third conduit 76 also incorporatesmeans for discharging the water/acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gasfrom third conduit 76. One embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 as dischargeopening 80 defined by third conduit 76. Discharge opening 80 ispreferably positioned approximately in the center of the poolingsection, described below. In the preferred embodiment, discharge 80 isconfigured so as to direct the discharge of water/acid and unreactedsulphur dioxide gas downward into a submersion pool 158 without creatinga back pressure. In other words, discharge 80 is sufficiently close tothe surface 133 of the fluid in the submersion pool to cause unreactedsulphur dioxide gas to be forced into the submersion pool, but not belowthe surface of the fluid in the submersion pool, thereby maintaining theopen nature of the system and to avoid creating back pressure in thesystem.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention alsoutilizes a tank 130 having a bottom 132, a tank sidewall 134, and a lid164. Tank 130 may also comprise a fluid dispersion member 137 todisperse churning sulphurous acid and sulphur dioxide gas throughouttank 130. Dispersion member 137 may have a conical shape or any othershape which facilitates dispersion. A weir 148 may be attached on oneside to the bottom member 132 and is attached on two sides to the tanksidewall 134. The weir 148 extends upwardly to a distance stopping belowthe discharge 80. The weir 148 divides the mixing tank 130 into asubmersion pool 158 and an outlet section 152. The third conduit 76penetrates either tank sidewall 134 or lid 164 (not shown). An outletaperture 154 is positioned in the tank sidewall 134 near the bottommember 132 in the outlet section. The drainage aperture 154 is connectedto a drainage pipe 156. Drainage pipe 156 is adapted with a u-trap 157.U-trap 157 acts as means to trap and force undissolved gases in asubmersion zone, including sulphur dioxide gas, back into chamber 130 toexit through lid 164 into vent conduit 210. Sulphurous acid exits pipe156 or primary discharge.

As water/acid flows out of the third conduit 76, the weir 148 dams thewater/acid coming into the mixing tank 130 creating a churningsubmission pool 158 of sulphurous acid. Sulphur dioxide gas carried bybut not yet reacted in the sulphurous acid is carried into submersionpool of acid 158 because of the proximity of the discharge 80 to thesurface 133 of the pool 158. The carried gas is submerged in thechurning submersion pool 158. The suspended gas is momentarily churnedin contact with acid in pool 158 to further concentrate the acid. Asunreacted gas rises up through the pool, the unreacted gas is held incontact with water and further reacts to further form sulphurous acid.The combination of the discharge 80 and its close proximity to thesurface 133 of pool of acid 158 creates a means for facilitating andmaintaining the submersion of unreacted sulphur dioxide gas dischargedfrom the third conduit into the submersion pool of sulphurous acid tosubstantially reduce the separation of unreacted sulphur dioxide gasfrom contact with the sulphurous acid to promote further reaction of thesulphur dioxide gas in the sulphurous acid in an open system withoutsubjecting the sulphur dioxide gas discharged from the third conduit toback pressure or system pressure. That is, discharge 80 positions belowthe level of the top of weir 148 is contemplated as inconsistent withthe open system illustrated by FIG. 2. However, discharge 80 may bepositioned below the level of the top of weir 148 or below the surface133 of submersion pool 158.

As sulphurous acid enters the mixing tank 130 from the third conduit 76the level of the pool 132 of sulphurous acid rises until the acid spillsover the weir 148 into the outlet section 152. Sulphurous acid andsulphur dioxide gas flow out of the mixing tank 130 into the drainagepipe 156. Drainage pipe 156 is provided with a submersion zone in theu-trap 157 in which sulphur dioxide gas is again mixed into thesulphurous acid and which prevents sulphur dioxide gas from exiting thedrainage pipe or primary discharge 156 in any significant amount.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, first conduit 70 andsecond conduit 282 are coupled as discussed above. However, in thisembodiment, third conduit 76 may have a bend 84 to transition to length85 and define a discharge opening 80 into mixing tank 130. As shown inthis embodiment, the water/acid and undissolved sulphur dioxide enterthe mixing tank in a downward angle direction. Another embodiment, notshown, contemplates third conduit 76 entering directly into the top ofmixing chamber 130 through lid 164.

Mixing tank 130 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises a bottom member132 defining an outlet aperture 154. Mixing tank 130 has a diameter ofabout 6 to 8 inches. As a result, the inside volume of mixing tank 130is such that as water/acid begins to fill tank 130 and interacts withu-trap 157, the level of water/acid rises and falls in a flushingaction.

As water/acid discharges from third conduit 76 into mixing tank 130, itresults in a turbulent washing machine effect forcing undissolvedsulphur dioxide gas into the churning water/acid in mixing tank 130. Asdepicted in FIG. 3, u-trap 157 extends vertically a distance up intomixing tank 130 through floor member 132. This configuration provides afurther agitation zone 131 in which descending waters/acid must changeits direction and ascend in tank 130 before exiting out u-trap 157. As aresult, submersion pool 158 in use represents a churning pool whereinundissolved sulphur dioxide is contained in water/acid for furtherdissolution and/or in u-trap 157 acts to trap and direct undissolvedgases back up through submersion pool 158 to escape out exhaust vent 202and enter into vent conduit 210. On the other hand, sulphurous acidexits the system through drainage pipe or primary discharge 156.

For the embodiments shown in both FIGS. 2 and 3, any free floatingsulphur dioxide gas in mixing tank 130 rises up to the lid 164. The lid164 defines an exhaust vent 202. Exhaust vent 202 may be coupled with avent conduit 210. The vent conduit 210 has a first end which coupleswith the exhaust vent 202 and a second end which terminates at a fourthconduit 220. The vent conduit 210 may consist of a length a pipe betweenvent 202 and the fourth conduit 220. The fourth conduit 220 comprisesauxiliary means 240 for bringing sulphur dioxide gas in the vent conduitand substantially all the water in a supplemental water conduit 294 intocontained, codirectional flow whereby remaining sulphur dioxide gas andwater are brought into contact with each other. See also FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the auxiliary means has a body 240defining a gas entry 244, a gas outlet 252, a supplemental water conduitinlet 246, and water eductor 250.

Water enters the auxiliary means 240 through the supplemental waterconduit 294 at inlet 246. The water courses through inlet 246 andeductor 250 as discussed earlier as to the codirectional means. Watereductor 250 draws any free floating sulphur dioxide gas into the exhaustvent conduit 210. Water and sulphur dioxide gas are brought into contactwith each other in fourth conduit 220 by surrounding the gas exiting gasoutlet 252 with water exiting eductor 250. The water and gas arecontained in contact with each other as the gas and water flow downthrough fourth conduit 220 to react and form an acid of sulphur. Thiscontact containment area does not obstruct the flow of the sulphurdioxide gas. It is believed that substantially all of the remainingsulphur dioxide gas in vent conduit 210 reacts with the water in thiscontact containment area.

In fourth conduit 220, the water/acid and unreacted or undissolvedsulphur dioxide gas also experience one or more agitation and mixingepisodes. For example, as fluid and gas divert in fourth conduit 220 atelbow 262, the flow of water/acid and sulphur dioxide gas is mixed andagitated. The water/acid and sulphur dioxide gas are again contained incontact with each other thereafter. As a result, like the water/acid andsulphur dioxide gas in the third conduit 76, the water/acid and sulphurdioxide gas in fourth conduit 220 may be subject to one or more contactcontainment portions and one or more agitation and mixing portions. Thefourth conduit may have a u-trap 267. U-trap 267 acts as means to causebubbles of unabsorbed diatomic nitrogen gas or undissolved sulphurdioxide, if any, to be held or trapped on the upstream side of u-trap267 in a submersion zone. Secondary discharge 264 may also be configuredwith a vent stack 265. Remaining diatomic nitrogen gas in the system ispermitted to escape the system through vent stack 265. Operation of thesystem reveals that little, if any, sulphur dioxide escapes the system.It is believed that gas that is escaping the system is harmless diatomicnitrogen. This configuration of a sulphur acid generator eliminates thedependence upon use of a countercurrent absorption tower technology ofthe prior art to effect production of sulphurous acid. Nevertheless, asan added safety feature to, and to further diminish any possible sulphursmell emitting from a device, vent stack 265 may comprise a limitedexhaust scrubbing tower.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, vent stack 65 encases two substantiallyhorizontally placed vent screens 269. In the preferred environment, ventstack 265 is severable and connectable at joint 271. This facilitatesconstruction shipment and maintenance. The upper vent screen 269 acts tocontain path diverters 263 within vent stack 265. The source of water295 is disposed to enter vent stack 265 at or near the top of vent stack265. A water dispersion device 261 is attached to the end of waterconduit 295 inside vent stack 265 above the column of path diverters263. The preferred water dispersion device 261 is an i-Mini Wobblerdistributed by Senninger Irrigation, Inc., Orlando, Fla., 32835, UnitedStates of America. In the present invention the water dispersion device261 is, contrary to its intended use, inverted 180°. Experimentation hasshown that the i-Mini Wobbler is the most effective in an invertedfashion because it duplicates rain in large droplets rather than a mistor spray and due to the wobbling affect of the device, it creates arandomly dispersed water flow thereby more effectively wetting thecolumn of path diverters 263. This creates a water saturated tortuouspath through which any undissolved gases trapped by u-trap 267 andventing out of discharge 264 must filter. In the preferred embodiment,the path diverters 263 are Flexiring® diverters 263. In thisconfiguration, the only countercurrent flow of water and any undissolvedgases is in the exhaust scrubbing tower of vent stack 265. Any water andsulphurous acid running out the bottom of vent stack 265 enter intodischarge 256. In this way, these embodiments also provide means forcontrollably generating sulphurous acid on-site and on-demand.

Experimentation has shown that the majority of water entering the systemof the present invention enters at inlet 106. A lesser amount of waterenters the system at inlet 246 with only a fraction of the waterentering the system through conduit 295. The flow of sulphur dioxide gasand water through the apparatus/system is depicted in flow diagram FIG.9.

Sulphurous Acid Injector

Unlike the prior art devices which release or pump sulphurous acid orwater/acid back into water sources, the present invention alsocontemplates injecting the sulphurous acid discharged from discharges156 and 264 into a desired, existing water source. The present inventionrequires, however, no pump or pressurized sulphurous acid generator toinject or discharge the discharged sulphurous acid into the desired bodyof water. The novel injection system relies instead upon an existingwater line 300 which has sufficient flow so as to create the neededdifferential pressure across injector 310. The preferred injector is aMazzei™ Injector. Injector 310 creates a differential pressure and isconfigured to draw liquid or gas into the flow within line 300 asdiscussed above.

Injector 310 is located beneath a reservoir 320 which acts as areservoir for sulphurous acid discharged from discharges 156 and 264.Injector 310 draws sulphurous acid from reservoir 320 and injects itinto the fluid flow in line 300. Employing injector 310 as discussedabove, the present invention provides a means for passively introducingor injecting sulphurous acid into a pressurized fluid line. The term“passively” means that the sulphur gases and/or sulphurous acid is notput under positive pressure to effect injection into line 300 but thatin ambient conditions in gas pipeline 70 and in reservoir 320, therespective sulphur gas(es) or sulphurous acid is drawn into line 300 byinjector 310.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a primary pump 280 supplying water through aprimary hose 282 to the secondary conduit water inlet 106 atcodirectional means 100. A supplemental or secondary pump 290 supplieswater to auxiliary means 240 through a supplemental water conduit hose294 and to conduit 295. It will be appreciated that any pump capable ofdelivering sufficient water to the system may be utilized and the pumpmay be powered by any source sufficient to run the pump. A single pumpwith the appropriate valving may be used or several pumps may be used.It is also contemplated that no pump is necessary at all if an elevatedwater tank is employed to provide sufficient water flow to the system orif present water systems provide sufficient water pressure and flow.

Dechlorinization of Aqueous Solution

The chemistry of dechlorinization of aqueous solution using sulphurgases is known. Unlike known technology, the present invention providesapparatuses, methods and means for controllably, inexpensively, safelyand reliably generating the needed sulphur gases or acids of sulphurused to dechlorinate aqueous solution on-site and on-demand. Byemploying either the Sulphur Gas Injectors or the Sulphurous AcidIntroducers disclosed above, the present invention provides heretoforunknown systems and methods capable of effecting dechlorinization ofaqueous solution. The expensive and large tanks, tankers, rails, trains,trucks, containment, piping and other equipment needed by known systemsand methods are entirely eliminated by the simple, self-contained,on-site, on-demand production of sulphur gases and/or sulphurous acidsfrom the combustion of sulphur.

By utilizing the gas and acid generators and introducers of the presentinvention, water treatment plants or other facilities may inexpensively,safely and successfully dechlorinate water as needed to meet EPA andother safety and health requirements.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A sulphurous acid generator comprising: means forcontrollably generating sulphur gases on-site and on-demand fromcombustion of elemental sulphur; and means for passively introducing thegenerated sulphur gases into a pressurized fluid line of aqueoussolution to create sulphurous acid, wherein a differential pressurebetween the sulphur gases and the pressurized fluid line of aqueoussolution draws the gases into the pressurized fluid line.
 2. Asulphurous acid generator comprising: means for generating sulphurousacid on-site and on-demand from combustion of elemental sulphur; andmeans for passively introducing the sulphurous acid into a pressurizedfluid line of solution, wherein a differential pressure between thesulphurous acid and the pressurized line of solution draws the acid intothe pressurized line of solution.
 3. An apparatus for dechlorinizing asolution comprising: means for controllably generating sulphurous acidon-site and on-demand from combustion of elemental sulphur; and meansfor passively introducing the sulphurous acid capable of effectingdechlorination of the solution into a pressurized fluid line ofsolution, wherein a differential pressure between the sulphurous acidand the pressurized line of solution draws the acid into the pressurizedline of solution.
 4. A method for the dechlorinization of an aqueoussolution comprising the following steps: controllably generating sulphurgases on-site and on-demand from combustion of elemental sulphur; andpassively introducing the generated sulphur gases into a pressurizedfluid line of aqueous solution to create sulphurous acid capable ofeffecting dechlorination of the aqueous solution, wherein a differentialpressure between the sulphur gases and the pressurized fluid line ofaqueous solution draws the gases into the pressurized fluid line.
 5. Amethod for the dechlorinization of an aqueous solution comprising thefollowing steps: generating sulphurous acid on-site and on-demand fromcombustion of elemental sulphur; and passively introducing thesulphurous acid capable of effecting dechlorination of the aqueoussolution into a pressurized fluid line, wherein a differential pressurebetween the sulphurous acid and the pressurized fluid line draws theacid into the pressurized fluid line.
 6. A method for thedechlorinization of an aqueous solution comprising the following steps:generating sulphurous acid on-site and on-demand from combustion ofelemental sulphur; and passively introducing the sulphurous acid capableof effecting dechlorinization of the aqueous solution into thepressurized line of aqueous solution, wherein a differential pressurebetween the sulphurous acid and the pressurized line of aqueous solutiondraws the acid into the pressurized line of aqueous solution.